Class of 2018 - General Discussion

[Dwight Schrute]

We're going to be guard-heavy, and I think the competency at the 1 and 2 will be higher overall than at the front court positions. As I've said numerous times, I don't think Quade's that good, nor do I think his shot is as reliable as it's made out to be. Hard to see him making a tremendous leap between last season and next, especially if there's a crowd at his position and not a lot of time for him to improve in game situations.

At least with SKJ you'd have a guy who's been there and was on an upward trajectory by season's end. I'd like to think that's momentum he could've carried over into next season.

Quade's final game sucked. His last moment was one of the worst shots I've ever seen.

I want him to stick around with an eye toward his junior and senior years, but I'm not going to be broken up if he leaves.

I will be, just simply because of the turnover that the program will have endured. That's a pretty damaging narrative to get used against you in recruiting, IMO.

[Joneslab]

We're going to be guard-heavy, and I think the competency at the 1 and 2 will be higher overall than at the front court positions. As I've said numerous times, I don't think Quade's that good, nor do I think his shot is as reliable as it's made out to be. Hard to see him making a tremendous leap between last season and next, especially if there's a crowd at his position and not a lot of time for him to improve in game situations.

At least with SKJ you'd have a guy who's been there and was on an upward trajectory by season's end. I'd like to think that's momentum he could've carried over into next season.

Quade's final game sucked. His last moment was one of the worst shots I've ever seen.

I want him to stick around with an eye toward his junior and senior years, but I'm not going to be broken up if he leaves.

The only reason Killeya-Jones played was because of Vanderbilt's injury.

Green should have gotten more time on this past team. Diallo was kind of an experiment. There was a movement in the season where Quade was the better player.

If that guy leaves it's an all-freshmen crew at guard. Literally, there's no experience there. That's huge.

Assuming we get some guys back, I don't think Killeya-Jones would've taken his warm-ups off next year.

[George]

I will be, just simply because of the turnover that the program will have endured. That's a pretty damaging narrative to get used against you in recruiting, IMO.

It is, and I agree. And I'm not changing my tune about transfers in general. It'd be a continuation of a really crappy precedent.

As an isolated case, though, I wouldn't be all that bothered by losing Green.

I do hope he stays. Just don't think he's a game-changer next season.

[Joneslab]

I will be, just simply because of the turnover that the program will have endured. That's a pretty damaging narrative to get used against you in recruiting, IMO.

There's also advantages to that narrative.

It's not a popular thing to say as a UK fan because we don't like the turnover, but now that this class has shaped out like it has it's clear that players really aren't using leaving early against Kentucky. In fact they're trying to get in as others get out.

A month ago it didn't look like this. Now it appears that the world has kind of been reset a little and Cal finished strong. He may still be going.

That said, if you don't have at least a couple of stable vets you aren't going to win titles. But the players don't appear to think that way. We've seen just the last two days how the one-and-dones of Kentucky's past have helped land these last two players. Anthony Davis and John Wall have been written all over these last couple of days.

[George]

The only reason Killeya-Jones played was because of Vanderbilt's injury.

Green should have gotten more time on this past team. Diallo was kind of an experiment. There was a movement in the season where Quade was the better player.

If that guy leaves it's an all-freshmen crew at guard. Literally, there's no experience there. That's huge.

Assuming we get some guys back, I don't think Killeya-Jones would've taken his warm-ups off next year.

Nothing we haven't suffered through before.

If they're as good as advertised, Cal will get them tuned up by March.

[Joneslab]

Nothing we haven't suffered through before.

If they're as good as advertised, Cal will get them tuned up by March.

Maybe. But I'd love a vet presence in there.

Quade has way more of a presence to him than Killeya. I'm sure you heard how Cal spoke about him this past year. He loved Quade. Cal loves toughness and grit. Quade is just, unfortunately, an unathletic guy.

But mentally, he could be a leader. Killeya-Jones is not that sort of player. Different stock as far as that goes.

You have to have these strong-minded guards on your team. Hagans is going to be one, but it's always good if you bring back a guy who's been through some stuff. I'd love him to come back and accept a role.

[Dwight Schrute]

Re: Quade transferring. Seems like a good shot that a lot of these guys will be gone before the 2019 season begins. If Quade is going to have to sit out next season anyway, he should do it at Kentucky where he'll have a shot to play a large role the following year.

[Joneslab]

Re: Quade transferring. Seems like a good shot that a lot of these guys will be gone before the 2019 season begins. If Quade is going to have to sit out next season anyway, he should do it at Kentucky where he'll have a shot to play a large role the following year.

This is what I think they should do as well, but in the past they haven't.

I always wished Kyle Wiltjer would've done this. Charles Matthews would have been great on this past team. But alas.

I think there's a thought that a fresh start is the better way to go. You might sit out a year at Kentucky and then another five-star player emerges at your position, and you have to fight it out all over again with a guy who's a basketball savant.

[teamchemistry15]

Kyle Tucker seems to think we add a grad transfer (Mayo or the kid from Stanford) AND another recruit who is going to reclassify. Can you imagine if we get a 5th year senior who can play (Mayo shot 45% from 3 last year and Reid from Stanford is working out for the NBA guys) and either Wiseman or Carey? We currently have two spots open if no one else leaves. If everyone comes back we may have the deepest 13 we've ever had.

[George]

Tucker says the remaining HS kid he referred to isn't Wiseman, but that there's another '19 kid who may reclassify to get in on next year's action at UK.

[Joneslab]

If it's Vernon Carey then start engraving the trophy.

[Joneslab]

Rivals guys seem convinced we're after Reid Travis.

[KCKUKFan]

I'm hearing lots of chatter about Vernon Carey. If that is indeed the case, then holy moly.

[Joneslab]

Only thing about Carey is that he doesn't turn 17 until July.

He'd be playing young, but so were MKG and Booker and Knox.

James Wiseman's only four months older.

Interestingly, Ashton Hagans will turn 19 in July.

[George]

Vernon Carey is a @#$^^&* monster.

If he signs on, then that's some vintage Calipari magic.